Adjustable socket wrench

ABSTRACT

An adjustable socket wrench having a tubular case containing an axially elongated wrench body and a plurality of circumaxially spaced jaw elements including jaws exposed at the forward end of the case. The case is axially movable relative to the body and the jaws between locking and adjusting positions. When the case is in its adjusting position the body may be rotated relative to the case and the jaw elements to adjust the opening between the jaws. When the case is in its locked position the body and jaws are restrained against movement relative to the case.

United States Patent Morin Nov. 27, 1973 ADJUSTABLE SOCKET WRENCH Primary Examiner-James L. Jones, Jr. [76] Inventor: WEEEEKZMBEBJFWEEE Aswan Sm'th Street Hartford Conn 061 l 4 Att0meyFrederick J. Haesche [22] Filed: July 21, 1972 ABSTRA 57 CT [21] Appl. No.: 274,093 1 An adjustable socket wrench having a tubular case containing an axially elongated wrench body and a [22] plurality of circumaxiany Spaced jaw elements includ i 128 ing jaws exposed at the forward end of the case. The 1 o are 165' case is axially movable relative to the body and the jaws between locking and adjusting positions. When the case is in its adjusting position the body may be [56] Reierences C'ted rotated relative to the case and the jaw elements to UNITED STATES PATENTS adjust the opening between the jaws. When the case is 1,467,735 9/1923 Morgan 81/90 B X in its locked position the body and jaws are restrained 3,724,299 4/1973 Nelson 81/128 against movement relative to the case.

12 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures ADJUSTABLE SOCKET WRENCH BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates in general to adjustable wrenches and deals more particularly with an improved adjustable wrench of socket type. The wrench of the present invention is particularly adapted to be adjusted to and locked in a required position of adjustment to grip an associated workpiece, such as a nut, bolt or the like. It is adjustable through a wide range of sizes and may be adjusted to accommodate threaded fasteners of either English or metric type. The present wrench may be arranged so that the jaws thereof are continuously urged toward increasingly tighter gripping engagement with a workpiece as force is applied to rotate the wrench in one direction. The force applied to rotate the wrench in an opposite direction may also be employed to move the jaws out of gripping engagement with the workpiece, so that any tendency for the wrench to jam in engagement with the workpiece is wholly eliminated. The latter features are particularly advantageous where damaged or stripped nut or bolt head conditions are encountered.

' SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In accordance with the present invention an improved adjustable socket wrench is provided which includes a tubular case containing an axially elongated body and a plurality of circumaxially arranged jaws. The case is supported for axial movement relative to the body and the jaws between locking and adjusting positions. In the adjusting position, the body is free to rotate in one or an opposite direction relative to the case and jaw elements and cooperates with the latter elements to effect adjustment of the jaw opening therebetween. In the locking position, the body and jaw elements are restrained against movement relativeto the case.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of an adjustable wrench embodying the present invention, but for clarity of illustration, one of the jaw elements is not shown.

FIG. 2 is a somewhat enlarged front view of the wrench of FIG. 1 shown in assembled condition.

FIG. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view taken generally along the line 3-3 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a transverse sectional view taken along the line 4-4 of FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a transverse sectional view taken along the line 55 of FIG. 3.

FIG. 6 is a transverse sectional view taken along the line 6-6 of FIG. 3.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring now to the drawing, an adjustable wrench embodying the present invention and indicated generally by the reference numeral 10 comprises an axially elongated body 12, a generally cylindrical tubular case 14 and a plurality of jaw elements 16, 16. The jaw elements 16, 16 are circumaxially arranged relative to the body 12 and at least partially received within the case 14 which coaxially surrounds at least a portion of the body. Each jaw element 16 has a jaw 18 exposed at the forward end of the case 14, as best shown in FIG. 3.

The case 14 is supported for axial movement relative to the jaw elements 16, 16 and the body 12 between a locking or full line position and an adjusting or broken line position as shown in FIG. 3. When the case 14 is in its adjusting position, the body 12 is free to rotate in one or an opposite direction relative to the case 14 and the jaw elements 16, 16 to adjust the opening between the jaws 18, 18 as will be hereinafter further discussed. When the case 14 is in its locked position, the jaws 18, 18 are locked in adjusted position. An off-set handle 20 is illustrated for operating the wrench 10, however, any conventional socket wrench handle may be used, as for example a handle or ratchet type.

Considering the wrench 10 in further detail, the body 12 has a generally cylindrical base 22 which includes a forwardly extending generally cylindrical splined portion 24 of somewhat smaller diameter. The body 12 also includes a generally cylindrical core 26 which projects coaxially forwardly from the splined portion 24. A radially outwardly opening annular slot 28 is formed in the core 26 and partially defined by a pair of axially spaced apart and radially disposed surfaces 30 and 32. At least one of the latter surfaces has a spiral thread formed therein, but preferably and as shown cooperating spiral threads are formed in both of the surfaces 30 and 32, as best shown in FIG. 4. A non-circular socket 33 formed in the base 22 opens coaxially rearwardly thereof for receiving the wrench handle 20, as shown in FIG. 3. One or more hemispherical recesses such as indicated at 35 may be provided which open into the socket 33 for cooperation with a ball detent mechanism 37 associated with the handle 20 as is well known in the wrench art.

The number of jaw elements and the arrangement thereof may vary. The illustrated wrench 10 is particularly adapted for use with hexagonal nuts and the like and, for this reason, it is provided with three jaw elements.

Each jaw element 16 comprises an axially elongated member of generally rectangular cross-section which has a radially inwardly extending leg 34 adapted to be received in the groove 28. The latter leg 34 has threaded grooves formed therein for complementary engagement with associated portions of the spiral threads formed in the surfaces 30 and 32. The jaw 18 formed at the forward end of each jaw element has a radially inwardly facing jaw surface. The wrench 10 has serated jaw surfaces, however, it should be understood that the configuration of the jaw surfaces may vary and will, of course, be determined by the purpose for which the wrench is provided.

The tubular case 14 has a stepped bore 36 which extends coaxially therethrough and includes a rearwardly opening generally cylindrical portion 38 which has a diameter substantially equal to the diameter of the base 22 for receiving the base therein and a forwardly opening generally cylindrical portion 40 which has a diameter substantially equal to the diameter of the core 26 for slidably receiving the core therein. The bore 36 also includes a splined bore portion 42, intermediate the cylindrical bore portions 38 and 40, for complementary engagement with the splined base portion 24 in the locked position, as best shown in FIG. 5. A plurality of circumaxially spaced axially extending slots 44, 44 formed in the wall of the case 14 open generally radially inwardly to the bore portion 40 for receiving the jaw elements 16. Thus, the case 14' is provided with slots 44, 44 equal in number to the number of jaw elements 16, 16. The bore portions 38 and 40 support the case 14 for coaxial rotation relative to the body in the adjusting position and for axial sliding movement relative to the body between the adjusting and locking positions.

A means is preferably provided to releasably retain the case in at least one of its positions relative to the body. In the illustrated embodiment 10, a ball detent mechanism indicated generally at 46 is provided for this purpose and serves to selectively releasably retain the case 14 in either of its two positions relative to the body. More specifically, the ball detent mechanism 46 comprises a spring biased ball mounted in the base 22 and adapted to engage the case 14 in either one or the other of a pair of axially spaced radially inwardly opening annular grooves 48 and 50 formed in the bore portion 38.

In assembling the wrench 10, the jaw elements 16, 16 are first assembled with the body 12. More specifically, each leg 34 is positioned within the groove 28 so that the threads thereon engage the associated spirally threaded surfaces 30 and 32. The body is then rotated relative to the jaw elements 16, 16 to move the latter elements radially inwardly or toward each other. The sub-assembly comprising the body and jaw elements is next inserted into the case 14, each jaw element 16 being slidably received in an associated one of the slots 44, 44. In the illustrated case, the wrench is retained in assembly by the ball detent mechanism 46, however, if desired, additional means may be provided to effect more permanent assembly of the various wrench parts.

The wrench 10 may be adjusted to and locked in any one of a plurality of positions of adjustment by sliding the case axially forwardly relative to the body 12 to its adjusting position to disengage the splined bore portion 42 from the base spline 24. When the case 14 is in its adjusting position, the ball detent mechanism 46 engages the groove 48 to releasably retain the case in the latter position. Thereafter, the body 12 may be rotated coaxially relative to the case 14 and the jaw elements 16, 16 in one or an opposite direction to move the jaws l8, l8 radially toward and away from each other as required to attain the desired opening therebetween. After the jaws have been adjusted, the case 14 may be moved axially rearwardly to its locking position to bring the splined bore portion 42 into locking engagement with the base spline 24. The case is releasably retained in the latter position by engagement of the ball detent mechanism with the annular groove 50, as shown in FIG. 3. In the locking position the case, body and jaw elements move as a unit in response to torque applied to the handle 20, the jaws being retained in a fixed position of adjustment.

The wrench 10 may be automatically adjusted to an accurate position by manually adjusting it to a proximate position of adjustment relative to a non-circular workpiece such as a nut, so that the jaws generally engage the workpiece. Thereafter, if the case is allowed to remain in its adjusting position torque applied to the handle 20 in a proper direction will cause the jaws to move into tight engagement with the workpiece. When the desired adjustment is attained, the wrench may be locked in its adjusted position by moving the case rearwardly. However, if desired, the case may be allowed to remain in its adjusting position so that torque applied to the handle will be transmitted through the spiral grooves in the core to the jaw elements to continuously urge the jaws 18, 18 into tighter engagement with the workpiece as torque is applied to the handle in one direction. This arrangement is particularly advantageous when a nut or bolt having a damaged head is encountered. It will now be evident that the wrench of the present invention may be provided with either a clockwise or counterclockwise spiral thread for moving the jaws so that the latter torque transmittal feature may be provided for either loostening or tightening a nut or bolt as may be desired.

I claim:

1. An adjustable wrench comprising a body member, a hollow case member coaxially surrounding at least a portion of said body member, a plurality of jaw elements at least partially received with said case member and circumaxially arranged relative to said body member, each of said jaw elements having a jaw exposed at the forward end of said case member, means for restraining said jaw elements against axial movement relative to said body member, means for restraining said jaw elements against coaxial rotation relative to said case member, means supporting said case member for axial movement relative to said jaw elements and said body member between first position and second positions and for rotation with said jaw elements and relative to said body member in its first position, means for restraining said case member against coaxial rotation relative to said body member in its second position, and means for moving the jaws radially toward and away from each other in response to rotation of said case member and said jaw elements relative to said body member.

2. An adjustable wrench as set forth in claim 1 wherein said means for moving said jaw elements comprises at least one generally radially disposed surface defined by said body member and having a spiral thread formed therein, each of said jaw elements having thread grooves formed therein engaging and complementing associated portions of said spiral thread.

3. An adjustable wrench as set forth in claim 1 wherein said means for restraining said jaw elements against axial movement comprises said means for moving said jaw elements radially toward and away from each other.

4. An adjustable wrench as set forth in claim 3 wherein said means for restraining and moving said jaw elements comprises a radially outwardly opening annular slot formed in said body member and partially defined by a pair of axially spaced radially disposed surfaces, at least one of said surfaces having a spiral thread formed therein, and a radially inwardly extending leg on each of said jaw elements, each said leg being received in said slot and having thread grooves formed therein engaging and complementing associated portions of said spiral thread.

5. An adjustable socket wrench as set forth in claim 1 including means for releasably retaining said case member in at least one of said positions.

6. An adjustable socket wrench as set forth in claim 5 wherein said releasably retaining means comprises a ball detent mechanism.

7. An adjustable socket wrench as set forth in claim 6 wherein said ball detent mechanism includes a ball carried by one of said members, a spring carried by said one member and biasing said ball in one radial direction, and an annular groove formed in the other of said members and opening therethrough in a radial direction opposite said one radial direction for receiving a portion of said ball therein in said one position.

8. An adjustable socket wrench as set forth in claim 1 wherein said body has a coaxial rearwardly opening non-circular socket formed therein for receiving and complementing an associated portion of a handle.

9. An adjustable socket wrench as set forth in claim 1 wherein said 'means for restraining said case member comprises a circumaxially spline formed on said body and a complementary rearwardly opening splined bore portion formed in said case for engaging said spline in any one of a plurality of angular positions when said case is moved to its second position.

10. An adjustable socket wrench as set forth in claim 1 wherein said case has a bore extending coaxially therethrough and having a plurality of circumaxially spaced axially extending slots equal in number to said jaw elements, said slots opening radially into said bore, each of said jaw elements being slidably received in an associated one of said slots, said slots comprising said means restraining said jaw elements against coaxial rotation relative to said case member.

11. An adjustable wrench comprising a body member having a generally cylindrical base and an axially elongated core coaxially projecting from said base,said core having a radially outwardly opening annular slot formed therein and defined by a pair of axially spaced radially disposed surfaces, at least one of said surfaces having a spiral thread formed therein, a plurality of axially elongated jaw elements circumaxially arranged relative to said core, each of said jaw elements having a jaw at the forward end thereof and a radially inwardly extending leg received in said annular slot, said leg having thread grooves formed therein engaging and complementing associated portions of said spiral thread, a generally cylindrical case member having a bore extending coaxially therethrough and including a plurality of circumaxially spaced axially extending slots opening radially into said bore equal in number to said jaws, each of said jaws being slidably received in an associated one of said axially extending slots, said case coaxially surrounding said core and supported on said base for axial movement relative thereto and to said jaw elements between a first position and a second position, said case member in said first position being rotatable relative to said body member and with said jaw elements to move said jaw elements radially toward and away from each other in response to rotation of said case member in one and an opposite direction, respectively, relative to said body member, and means for restraining said case member against coaxial rotation relative to said body member when said case member is in said second position.

12. An adjustable socket wrench as set forth in claim 11 wherein said means for restraining said case member against coaxial rotation comprises a circumaxial spline formed on said body and a complementary splined bore portion formed in said case for engaging said spline in any one of a plurality of angular positions when said case is moved to said second position.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE n CGECTIN Patent NO. Dated Novembe 2'7, Richard A. Morin Inventor(s) It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

Col. 3, line 39, "is" should be --50--.

C01 3 line 51 "50" should be -48--.

Signed and sealed this 23rd day of April 197 (SEAL) Atte st:

EDWARD PLFLETCHERQJRQ Ce. MARSHALL DANN Attesting Officer Commissioner of Patents FORM PC3-1050 (l0-69) U5cMM DC 6376 P69 u.s. GOVERNMENT PRINHNG OFFICE 1 was o-asa-au, 

1. An adjustable wrench comprising a body member, a hollow case member coaxially surrounding at least a portion of said body member, a plurality of jaw elements at least partially received with said case member and circumaxially arranged relative to said body member, each of said jaw elements having a jaw exposed at the forward end of said case member, means for restraining said jaw elements against axial mOvement relative to said body member, means for restraining said jaw elements against coaxial rotation relative to said case member, means supporting said case member for axial movement relative to said jaw elements and said body member between first position and second positions and for rotation with said jaw elements and relative to said body member in its first position, means for restraining said case member against coaxial rotation relative to said body member in its second position, and means for moving the jaws radially toward and away from each other in response to rotation of said case member and said jaw elements relative to said body member.
 2. An adjustable wrench as set forth in claim 1 wherein said means for moving said jaw elements comprises at least one generally radially disposed surface defined by said body member and having a spiral thread formed therein, each of said jaw elements having thread grooves formed therein engaging and complementing associated portions of said spiral thread.
 3. An adjustable wrench as set forth in claim 1 wherein said means for restraining said jaw elements against axial movement comprises said means for moving said jaw elements radially toward and away from each other.
 4. An adjustable wrench as set forth in claim 3 wherein said means for restraining and moving said jaw elements comprises a radially outwardly opening annular slot formed in said body member and partially defined by a pair of axially spaced radially disposed surfaces, at least one of said surfaces having a spiral thread formed therein, and a radially inwardly extending leg on each of said jaw elements, each said leg being received in said slot and having thread grooves formed therein engaging and complementing associated portions of said spiral thread.
 5. An adjustable socket wrench as set forth in claim 1 including means for releasably retaining said case member in at least one of said positions.
 6. An adjustable socket wrench as set forth in claim 5 wherein said releasably retaining means comprises a ball detent mechanism.
 7. An adjustable socket wrench as set forth in claim 6 wherein said ball detent mechanism includes a ball carried by one of said members, a spring carried by said one member and biasing said ball in one radial direction, and an annular groove formed in the other of said members and opening therethrough in a radial direction opposite said one radial direction for receiving a portion of said ball therein in said one position.
 8. An adjustable socket wrench as set forth in claim 1 wherein said body has a coaxial rearwardly opening non-circular socket formed therein for receiving and complementing an associated portion of a handle.
 9. An adjustable socket wrench as set forth in claim 1 wherein said means for restraining said case member comprises a circumaxially spline formed on said body and a complementary rearwardly opening splined bore portion formed in said case for engaging said spline in any one of a plurality of angular positions when said case is moved to its second position.
 10. An adjustable socket wrench as set forth in claim 1 wherein said case has a bore extending coaxially therethrough and having a plurality of circumaxially spaced axially extending slots equal in number to said jaw elements, said slots opening radially into said bore, each of said jaw elements being slidably received in an associated one of said slots, said slots comprising said means restraining said jaw elements against coaxial rotation relative to said case member.
 11. An adjustable wrench comprising a body member having a generally cylindrical base and an axially elongated core coaxially projecting from said base,said core having a radially outwardly opening annular slot formed therein and defined by a pair of axially spaced radially disposed surfaces, at least one of said surfaces having a spiral thread formed therein, a plurality of axially elongated jaw elements circumaxially arranged relative to said core, each of said jaw eleMents having a jaw at the forward end thereof and a radially inwardly extending leg received in said annular slot, said leg having thread grooves formed therein engaging and complementing associated portions of said spiral thread, a generally cylindrical case member having a bore extending coaxially therethrough and including a plurality of circumaxially spaced axially extending slots opening radially into said bore equal in number to said jaws, each of said jaws being slidably received in an associated one of said axially extending slots, said case coaxially surrounding said core and supported on said base for axial movement relative thereto and to said jaw elements between a first position and a second position, said case member in said first position being rotatable relative to said body member and with said jaw elements to move said jaw elements radially toward and away from each other in response to rotation of said case member in one and an opposite direction, respectively, relative to said body member, and means for restraining said case member against coaxial rotation relative to said body member when said case member is in said second position.
 12. An adjustable socket wrench as set forth in claim 11 wherein said means for restraining said case member against coaxial rotation comprises a circumaxial spline formed on said body and a complementary splined bore portion formed in said case for engaging said spline in any one of a plurality of angular positions when said case is moved to said second position. 